UFO Parade, 2013

When I first started looking for my UFOs I was feeling rather smug.  "Not too bad", I kept telling myself.  "See you do finish the projects you start!"  ........Then reality came quickly as I kept finding more and more UFOs that had been shelved by the wayside along the way.    Next thought was WHY?  Perhaps it's some of my perfectionist qualities and as I became dissatisfied with one part or another, I'd became disenchanted and shelved most of them to procrastinate to another day.  Be it I ran out of fabric, wasn't satisfied how my techniques produced the units, and wanting to finish it in my own unique way (of course I have difficulty being told what to do and have prided myself with these rebelious attitudes, lol!) 

Irregardless UFOs they all are and then some!  Truthfully I even have more that I know of but didn't want to hunt them down for a photograph.  Some off the top of my head are the Mater quilt, the lone star I recently (March 2013) bought the backing for, some BOMs started, humpjumpers and string blocks in the works, etc....  Anyways,  here comes  something.... my UFO Parade. 

10 minute blocks out of Batiks started this month

Stack of Double Four Patch Humpjumpers -
(Notice how I even spun the seams on each block!)

Some assembly already started

Convergence wallhanging in the works, but this will be done this MONTH!

House Block Swap with Jane of Jane's Fabrics done last year, 2012

Tree Blocks also swapped with Jane of Jane's Fabrics last year, 2012

Conway Blocks started in 1998 or so???

More Conway Plus blocks- nine appliqued total.

Tesselating leaves class with Carol Doak,  probably started around 1994...   Adding to it very rarely, notice those bear paw blocks, those are circa 2000 perhaps.

Dresdan Plates started at the turn of the century.  May finish this as a table runner.

Class with Joan Ford (2012), used fabrics from my quilt, Bird Song that had a nine patch variation theme which was finished in 2008. 
This will only be a pillow, still a UFO though.

Lil' Miss Shabby - 3 blocks left to stitch. That means 9 made of this quilt too (notice any repitition of that number?)

Ironing Caddy started at the quilt retreat a couple of weeks ago.

 

Since I'm sharing my bag of magic tricks like a little bag of dirty secrets,

I thought you may like to know one more thing  about me. 

Here's a real time shot showing a part of my life

Under the desk in the den. 

Guess I like to throw my shoes off or should I say my flip flops.

See Gina, these pink and purple thonged slippers are being used right away and are so comfy.  Thanks!  I love them.

 

So without further adieu, my first UFO to finish will be putting all of these away.  lol

 

See, I can finish something!

 

 

Enjoy your day.

Jane

 

Stash Report #15 of 2013

Good to report that another 3 Yards were used this week with 3 pillowcases made for PGD#1.  What's that?  Yeah Me!  Two weeks in a row.  Maybe I'm on a new improved trend? 

Can I get a Hoot whoot?

The stash report for this week is: 

Stash In: 0 Yards

Stash Out: 3 Yards

YTD In: 47.75 Yards

YTD Used/Out the Door: 28.5 yards

That's a Net gain this year of 19.25 more yards into stash for this year (finally under 20 yard mark again, promise I'll be good for awhile and stop adding to my gains).

 

 

 

 

With those 3 pillowcases tallied into this week's stash report but were actually finished today. 

Sometimes there are just not enough hours in a week!   

 

Would you believe that bright striped fabric was setting in my stash and I thought it worked well enough with all the other colors in the Field of Flowers quilt that I finished at the beginning of the year.  It could be that perfect blend, but yet  something a little different so it wasn't all matchy matchy if you know what I mean. 

 

What do you think? 

 

Here's a closeup showing how intense those colors in the stripes.  They are a bit overwhelming if I used a bunch of it, but using just a hint of it in the areas I did, I like the looks just fine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I made three pillowcases since PGD#1 has a trundle bed, thus  2 cases were absolutely needed and made one extra just in case. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here they are laying on top of that quilt,

just in case you forgot what it looked like.  : o )

 

 

Also, I am thrilled that the 10 minute blocks made out of those batiks are totally done! 

 

That makes 20 really big blocks that will each finish at 19".  Planning on using them in a grid of 4 blocks wide by 5 blocks high.  They will be shelved for the rest of this month so I can get to my other get 'er done items that were listed for April.   Hopefully in May I'll remember to list them to get the top sewn togehter. 

  I'm just loving this disected way of approaching my projects lately.   Talk about progress without the pain.  

Just like eating an elephant ........ One bite at a time!

 

The next focus for this week will be the pom pom project that I need to have finished

for the 29th for the Shake your Pom poms blog hop.   

What I was planning to make may have to change since in my excitement I showed lil' Miss PGD#1 what I intended and she doesn't think she'll like it. 

 

Stop the Presses! 

What!!! 

I think it'd be so stinkin' cute and she doesn't think she'll like it? 

How does a 7 year old have that much huxepah

to tell her Grandmother that she doesn't think that she'll like it? 

Humph! 

I think I'll be making it any way and we'll just see about that! 

Can ya tell I'm miffed just a tad. 

 

Well besides getting that pompom project going, the other 2  focuses for this next week will be to finish quilting that Convergence wallhanging and to cut out another A Little Something Jacket in between Dr's Appointments and other commitments already arranged.

 

TTFN,

Jane

 

 

Stash Report #14, 2013

Good to report that 3 Yards were used out of the stash with the tropical, A little something Jacket finished.  

Can I get a Hoot whoot? 

 

Here's the stash report for this week.  Finally I'm adding it on Wednesday morning since I've been out straight all week since getting home.    

 

Stash In: 9 Yards

Stash Out: 3 Yards

YTD In: 47.75 Yards

YTD Used/Out the Door: 25.5 yards

That's a Net gain this year of 22.25 more yards into stash for this year.

Oh dear, I've slipped further away from ground zero and heading in that other direction Scottie!

 

 

Ohhh!  Did you see that 9 yards added?  MY LQS, Loose Threads had their anniversary event with some nice discounts.  The fabric line I've been lusting after, I finally purchased, thus the 9 yards added.   Another quilt is planned which I'll probably list for my May Get er done list and plan on using some background fabric that's been in my stash.  I'll have to strike while the iron is hot so to speak or while my muse is in overdrive.  lol

 

The retreat this  past weekend was just what I needed. Though the surroundings are rustic, all of our needs were met nicely and can I say that the price was right, but Qualilty time spent with my friend Trudy, Priceless!   

It was great reconnecting with friends that were made from last years' retreat too and the creativity amongst the women gathered there was amazing.  Even two different women offered little classes with how to do sessions, a total surprise and both were nicely done.  One shared how she did  quilt bindings totally by machine and the other showed us the construction of an arrowhead block  assembled via the Anita Grossman Sullivan technique.  Can I say that's the only way to make that block with all those biased template type units it contains.  Thanks you Mardy and Sandy!  (I still want to make a 9" sample block and send it to the woman who arranges this retreat for their community project quilt.) 

 

My focus was to work on a layer cake kit I bought last year to make a king size quilt, (pattern was not included so it was good that I had the book).  Not only did I successfully  snip the string holding it all together, but was able to assemble 19 blocks out of the 20 blocks. 

 

Here they are laid out on my bed  sans the upper left block. 

The 4 -10" squares included for that block didn't float with the focus diamond fabric  so I need to shop my stash or the LQS for a batik that could work better.   

 

 

It is rather plan and the size surely doesn't look like a king size!   SO here I go "Janing it" again.  Perhaps I'll make 6 more blocks that way it'll be a 5x5 grid layout.  So note to self, buy 3 dark and 3 light batiks.  

 

Then I took a breathe.

 

SCREECH!!! 

 

STOP this insanity!

 

Keep it as it's meant to be.

(See I can apply my own brakes.) LOL

 

 

 

 

 

With DH talking about getting a hospital bed, this darker woodsy themed quilt could be a great quilt for that purpose should it come to fruition.  It will also be the right look for the den where it'll be set up with the animal and brown/black theme in that room.  Perfect!

 

My stash won't work, so off to my LQS for a 12"  wof piece. 

 

Was able to cut and quilt the iron caddy together with the teflon fabric.  All that's left now is to get the handles on  and bind it.  Instead of having bulkier, sewn fabric strap handles, I just may use a soft black cording for the handles that way they won't be a hindrence while using it as an ironing pad and I think I have some in my ribbons and trims bin.   Perhaps I could focus on that this week.

 

Also managed to trace out the fusible steam a seam II pieces for two  patchabilities  wall hangings.   I'd like to do them both this year and it's nice to have this part done for whenever I start them, it'll be easy to slap those onto whichever scraps I use.

   My daughter is out of town on a work related conference in Denver, Co  so I'm helping out more with her children's schedules and needs. 

 

Enjoy your week,

Jane

 

A Time to Begin Again

There is a time in every life
when the very act
of looking back and taking stock
becomes essential
to going forward.

Without the light
that shines out of the darkness
of the past,
we cannot chart
a new path
to the future.

Monastic spirituality
is built around
a life of retreat and reflection.

Retreat time is the practice
of making personal time
for the kind of spiritual time
that is beyond the routine
of religious practices or spiritual duties.

Part of our spiritual journey
must, if the soul is to make progress
in the spiritual life,
be spent remembering
what we say are our intentions in life,
in the light of what we can clearly see
are becoming the patterns and actions
of our lives.

Retreat times remind us
that it is easy
to become slack
in concern for the mundane,
the daily,
and the unglamorous
in the face of a world so enticingly exciting.

Retreat time is the flagship piece of the year
that sets the standard
for a rhythm of life that moves seamlessly
between contemplation and action,
between work and Sabbath,
between regular retreat
and reflection days
throughout the year.

Retreat times remind us
always to make the space
to begin—again—
and in the midst of the cloying demandsof work and family,of money-making worries
and the stressors of social systems,
to fix the eye of the heart
on the really important things of life.

–from The Monastery of the Heart by Joan Chittister

 I'm away for a quilt retreat and it can be spiritual besides productive.  Will share later.   
Jane 

Progress.

No kidding- The first item listed for April is finished!  Of course it was on my March list but was carried over this month.  I was able to hand stitch the facing this AM after getting the hemming done last night while watching Flight with Denzel Washington.   

There is no school this week, so the littlest grandchildren are here for several days.  I remember when my own children were young, I could sew and crank out a new wearing apparal in one night. 

I found this pattern not  too clear and specific for me while sewing it.  I had to reread the directions, scan ahead to see what they were talking about and rethink the directions continuously!  I even had some ripping out to do in one section.  Grrr!!!  Hopefully with the next one I have planned in a different colorway this month will be much smoother sailing. 




April's color for Rainbow Scrap Challenge (RSC13) is green - just the color I love!  I've been pondering which block to make still and perhaps I'll keep it easy and just make 4 HST of each color.   The other colors already assigned a month this year are purple, orange and pink.   Need to get off the fence and just DO IT!

 

Also Kristy from Quiet Play has shared a And Sew On paper piece block each month.  April's block called  "Not for paper" or even could be called "Snip It Real Good"  block #4 pattern has been released so now that makes me 3 blocks behind in that BOM.   My BOMs have slid off my radar and I hope to pick them back up soon. 

Here's what the expected pattern all assembled  will look like. 















Not sure yet  how this will be used, but I'm enjoying rekindling my love of paper piecing.  I have a couple of Eileen Sullivan's patterns all kitted that I'd like to get to and this is a perfect refresher with cute outcomes.  





Next focus project will be to finish the quilting on my wall hanging.   Here's a peak at the backing I'm using. Colorful isn't it. It actually has been in my stash for 30 years or very close to that.  Remember when the kids loved their jamms?  For those of you younger and didn't live through that time it was a loose longer boxer shorts made out of vibrant and out of this world prints, the wilder the better, you guessed it, one of mine loved the pair of shorts made from this print.  Can't believe I had enough for the backing and this bit is still what left.  I think I'll be making some simple community project blocks with a vanilla surround to usse it up. 
What til you see how I'm quilting it. Promise, will share more later.

TTFN,
Jane



 

March es past... now onto April Fools, 2013

Since it's the last day in March I'm summing up the list of four (plus extras)  that I listed at the beginning of the month.  Not great but not that bad either.

1-Stitch Me Up Project - DONE
2- Kindle Bag - Didn't even start, will be relisting this for April perhaps this is  a New FO whenever I start it.
3-Quilt Convergence Wall hanging - Started, the pieced center is quilted now that I figured out what it was calling for.  Have all the borders yet to quilt, then pipe, bind and label.  this too will be relisted in April.
4- A Little Something Jacket- Started and so close to being finished,  Hemming is all that is left.  This too will be relisted for April.
5- The Baby Quilt didn't even contemplate!

The apron and the 2 Superman capes that were finished  were on my list for May. Ah hummm... Can I say I'm ahead of schedule there!

Boy, can I ever fool myself!  Only one completely done out of the 5!  How foolhardy is that thinking that it wasn't so bad?  Progress was made on all but one and I did list five so I am content none the less.  Now onto my hopes for this month.

My four focuses  for April for the Getting It Done challenge are:

DONE  1: Finish the A little Something Jacket made from the tropical foliage rayon.
2: Kindle Bag designed and made.
3: Convergence wallhanging totally quilted.  Have a stalled and very cold engine for this baby.
4: Embroider another lil' Miss Shabby Block (that project has stalled since February but one more so close to being done).
5: Piping and binding for the Convergence.
DONE  6: Shake Your Pom Poms project, my date to share is the 29th.
It actually was one of the top two projects that day.
DONE  7: Batiks Quilt blocks made out of the 10 minute block pattern.  20 made.
8: Make another "A Little Something Jacket", perhaps the orange with the cream and black print. Reminds me of Butterflies.
9:  The "Straight grandbaby quilt", have the flowers appliqued onto center of the quilt, it'll be an original design but still a simple.
DONE  10: Pillow case(s)  made for PGD#1 to match her Field of Flowers quilt.  Perhaps this will be a nice sewing project to do with her this week since she's out of school.  Made 3.

NO, this list is not an April's Fools Joke, it really is my intention.  There are so many other items I could  and perhaps should have written but I'll limit myself to these.  If those others creep onto my sewing table and demand my attention well then, I'll be forced to comply and will add them at the end of April. 

What projects are on your horizon?  To see what many other bloggers are pledging, follow the link to Judy Laquidera's blog.

Sometimes I feel like such a slacker with many of my friends and my Mom, who is absolutely amazing shall I say. They all seem to get quilts done lickity split.  For example:  Like my  BFF Trudy, last week I stopped by to visit and enjoy a cup of tea and she had just started a baby quilt for an expected in May, great grandbaby, her first!  then BANG!   Saturday  she showed up at our little quilt group stitching the binding on.  Talk about gorgeous and quick!  She had even sent it out to be quilted!!!   Boy, I am not worthy.    Mom makes a quilt every month and gives it to Community service at her church and she doesn't make wimpy sized quilts either.  Those quilts are at least 50" x 68" and done with her scraps and yardage she's  pushing through.  Besides the other quilts and projects she completes each month is astonishing.  I really am not worthy.   Yet here I am, all smug in my feeble creative attempts and loving these little projects of mine.   

But my most important project is the time spent with my grandchildren.  Any  projects not completed are a small price to pay for the priviledge in holding them, playing a game, creating something and just  guiding their development that I am content.   It's such an honor and priviledge that I cherish  doing in this life and hopefully doing so with grace (my other intention).

Jane 

Stash Report #13 of 2013 and a March's Mew FO

With a couple of Superman Capes made for the youngest grandchildren this past week (sorry no photos grabbed of those, they literally flew out the door, LOL!), there is movement (no less  two weeks in a row now) of stash used!    YEAH ME!!!!

This weeks stash report #13 of 2013,     drumroll ....... 

Stash In: 0 Yards 

Stash Out: 2 Yards

YTD In: 38.75 Yards

YTD Used/Out the Door: 22.5 yards

That's a Net gain this year of 16.25 more yards into stash for this year.

 

 

Yesterday I thought I'd be able to report another 3 yards out the door with making the Little Something Jacket, (March's New FO or as it's referred to this month as a MewFO, lol) out of some rayon  during a sewing day with most of my Circle of Friends quilting group.    What can I say...


 

Me...all day...and, this is all I got done!  
Jacket cut out, shoulders sewn together and one sleeve added.  But, my well was filled with laughter and the support that only girlfriends can provide.  It was a nice and successful day.    Sorry though that Carol, Michelle and Lee couldn't make it, you three were missed. 

 

 

 

DH's health issues are troublesome again but I had to chuckle when I found this gem despite the risk DH is going through.   Thank goodness I do have some good ones!  

 

On another very happy note, I won a giveaway from Cindy at Quilt Doodles!     An electronic copy of her pattern Coneflowers was in my inbox when I got back home today.   I really love that design and will be kitting it up for a project.  The kits I'm making up will be for when I drive DH to some of his appointments, I'll be having some great hand projects to help keep my sanity. 

Then even more, when going through the snail mail, oh my!  another happy surprise, the package from Marcia from Sewing and quilting blog  sent me the winnings from her giveaway.  Several beautiful notecards with a sweet postcard thrown in the mix too.  How thoughtful! 
Thank you both so much.  Perhaps I should purchase a lottery ticket, I feel so fortunate!

Enjoy your holiday weekend and the blessings of your life.
 

Jane

2013 - Easter

May you all find the joy, peace and serenity in your hearts during this Holy time.


Jane









 

25 ways to wear a scarf

 

Found this neat video  so had to share. 

60 shades finished and stash report #12 of 2013

DH is turning 60 next month and with all the hoopla of 50 shades of Grey from last year (which BTW - I'm still trying to finish for finishing's sake! I'm on the third book now, read 10 pages and I'm snoozing, how boring is this story line!!)  Anyways, since DH cooks so well and enjoys doing his creations, I thought a BBQ apron was in order.  SO I ordered 1 yard of a beer mugs fabric and then shopped my stash until I found a coordinating match and it was  a fabric with shades of grey that went well enough with those mugs of beer. 

 

 

I used a leftover panel from last years chili pepper apron then added 2 additional pockets to help him

carry his favorite  beverage of choice,  Budweiser!

Next a little hair band loops were added to keep the meat thermometer from falling too deeply into the pocket.

Close up detail:

For the beer mug side, it's rather simple and plain.   

But it does have another hair band loop for the meat thermometer on the upper right part. 

This reversible apron was made without a pattern and I used  an apron gifted to me from the Doctor I worked for many years ago as a guide.    Simple quilted vertical and diagonal stitches  with a leftover piece of fleece used  for the batting. 

Wonderful to say that 3 yards of fabric were used.  Finally my stash report moved.   Happy too that my February New FO is completely done.   (Yes, I gave it to him early since that is him modeling it.)

 

 

Initially I had imagined on the 6o Shades of Grey side to have embroidered phrases on 2 pockets saying something like:

Whip It,   Beat it!!!   

Eat It!   Love IT!!! 

But immediately knew my imp  was carrying too far away from my mused comfort side. 

But the little imp in me kept imagine other sayings. 

Kill It, Grill It!!

Since he used to hunt, fish and the other outdoor sports he loved to do before his health problems. 

 

Saturday we enjoyed another presentation of the Adirondack Skating Clubs, SNOW WHITE.   PGD#1 posed with Snow White who was wonderful as well as a friend's daughter who skated as one of the seven dwarves.  She was great with her newly skill double or it could have been a triple axel.  It was a wonderful show and one I enjoy every year.  PGS#3 wouldn't pose.

 

Off this afternoon to see Anything Goes for there afternoon showing.  Chazy Music Theatre always does a bang up job of producing musicals and this is another event I enjoy annually.  I'll get tomorrow to post the photos. 

 

PS:  This weeks stash report #12 of 2013 al least shows some usage! 

Stash In: 0 Yards 

Stash Out: 3 Yards
YTD In: 38.75 Yards

YTD Used/Out the Door: 20.5 yards

That's a Net gain of 18.25 more yards into stash for this year.  Feeling better now that it's under 20!  LOL

 

Enjoy your 1st weekend of Spring.

Jane

 

(came back to edit and add the photos on the 28th.)